The All Island Canteen Owners Association charges that the decision by the Ministry of Education to switch to online learning puts the canteen system under pressure.
Speaking to NewsRadio President of the Association Asela Sampath said 20,000 direct and indirect jobs within the industry will be affected as 5,600 school canteens will not function.
Sampath said their modes of generating an income will come to a standstill.
He also charged that children will be severely affected by the constant closures of schools.
